Deion Sanders isn’t blinking. Even as 34 players have packed their bags and exited Boulder this offseason, including last year’s leading rusher, Isaiah Augustave, Coach Prime continues to reload. Augustave’s decision to transfer to Virginia leaves a wide gap in Colorado’s backfield. He racked up a team-high 384 yards and tied for the team lead with 4 TDs, modest numbers that underscore a long-standing issue: Sanders hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher in a single game during his tenure at Colorado. The revolving door at RB is no longer just a roster quirk—it’s become one of the program’s defining struggles. So when Sanders made a surprising late-April grab out of the portal, all eyes turned to one name.

Meet DeKalon Taylor. The Incarnate Word transfer isn’t your typical high-volume power back. Standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing in at just 166 pounds, he immediately raises size concerns in a conference where DL eat backs like him for lunch. But what Taylor lacks in bulk, he makes up for in burst. On the Locked On Buffs podcast, Kevin Borba didn’t hold back on his optimism. “DeKalon Taylor, 5’9”, 166-pound running back, 152 carries for 909 yards, nine touchdowns, six yards per carry last season,” he laid out. “He also made an impact in the return game and the receiving game. I think he could be Colorado’s first star running back.” That’s no small prediction for a team that’s struggled to find consistent ground production since Sanders took over.

The ceiling is high, but so are the risks. Zach McKinnell, co-hosting the episode, didn’t shy away from the question everyone’s thinking: “The one thing I do question for him is, can he be a 25–30 carry guy? I don’t know just because of his size.” The wear-and-tear of a full Big 12 schedule is no joke, and Colorado’s offensive line hasn’t exactly made life easy for its rushers. Still, the upside is impossible to ignore. “If you’re looking for an explosive option out the backfield, DeKalon Taylor is your guy,” McKinnell continued. “And I really do think with how creative Colorado likes to be with their offense, he really fits the mold of a guy who’s going to be very successful in Boulder.”

Taylor’s breakout 2024 campaign at Incarnate Word was no fluke. He tallied 909 yards and nine touchdowns on 152 touches, good for a sharp six yards per carry. He also reeled in 22 receptions for 163 yards, showcasing dual-threat capability that Deion Sanders has long wanted in his offensive scheme. Taylor’s versatility isn’t just a bonus—it’s a requirement in an offense that’s still finding its identity. This is a system that thrives on spacing, mismatches, and tempo, and Taylor might just be the jitterbug who unlocks it. He’s also dangerous in the return game, giving him multiple paths to impact.

But Deion Sanders didn’t stop with just one weapon. Wednesday’s portal blitz also brought in three-star tight end Zach Atkins from Northwest Missouri State and wide receiver Joseph Williams from Tulsa. Atkins offers a new dimension for an offense that hasn’t used the tight end position effectively, while Williams gives them much-needed depth at wideout. Most notably, Sanders also landed two high-upside transfers from Tennessee: OL  Larry Johnson III and DB John Slaughter. Johnson, in particular, could be critical to opening up windows for Taylor and giving Kaidon Salter more time in the pocket.

All told, Coach Prime now holds 26 portal commitments, including three four-star prospects, and his 2025 incoming transfer class ranks No. 20 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12. That kind of ranking speaks to more than just hype—it shows a coach who’s weaponizing the portal like few others.

Deion Sanders adds key pieces, still fishing for more

Coach Prime is cooking in Boulder—and his transfer portal recipe just got a flavorful boost. Over the last two days, CU has landed a high-upside quartet of transfers, including the two former Vols. They’re joined by Incarnate Word standout DeKalon Taylor—known for his electric return skills—and Kansas State safety Noah King. Johnson, Slaughter, and Taylor come in as three-star transfers, while King brings a bit more shine as a four-star talent, according to 247Sports.

Don’t forget Hykeem Williams. The former Florida State four-star wideout committed just a day earlier. The Buffs are stacking talent like it’s Black Friday. But Coach Prime isn’t just scooping up portal names at random. “You got to know what you need, not just grabbing somebody from the portal,” Sanders said in April. “You have to check them out thoroughly, make sure they fit, not just athletically but also with the culture and what we’re doing here at CU.”

And what’s still on his shopping list? “One tremendous defensive tackle… probably three corners, one receiver — that’s a grown man, that’s as a dog,” Sanders said. So, yes, the hunt’s not over yet.